Winter League

Format at a glance

Entries

42 pairs, straight draw into 7 leagues of 6 (no seeding)

League stage

5 rounds. Each pair plays the other five in its league over all 18 holes, shotgun start.

Scoring

3 points for a win, 1 for a draw. Hole difference separates pairs level on points.

Top 8

The 7 league winners plus the best runner-up go into the quarter-finals.

Knockout

Quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, played by 14 Mar, 28 Mar and 11 Apr 2027.

Handicap

Full Course Handicap off the yellow tees. Strokes received are 90% of the difference from the lowest handicap player.

The rules

1. Straight draw for the leagues – no seeding.
2. Pairs match play.
3. Handicap – full Course Handicap. Strokes are taken from the lowest handicap player, receiving 90% of the difference.
4. Yellow tees.
5. 42 pairs entered, in 7 leagues (A–G).
6. Leagues of 6 teams – each pair plays 5 matches.
7. 3 points for a win. 1 point for a draw.
8. Play all 18 holes to determine the points (hole) difference.
9. 1 substitute – the pair starts the match 1 down.
10. 2 substitutes – the pair starts the match 2 down.
11. No show – the opposition win 3 up.

League table order

1. Points
2. Hole difference
3. The competition committee's decision

Handicaps: worked example

The lowest handicap plays off scratch. Everyone else receives 90% of the difference from the lowest, rounded. Each player plays their own ball.

Start times

League rounds are a shotgun start on the Sunday shown, one match per hole. On holes 5, 7 and 14 two matches go off: the 1st group tees off at 7:50, then the League G match follows.

Knockout

Seeds: league winners first (by points, then hole difference), then the best runner-up. Quarter-finals are 1 v 8, 4 v 5, 2 v 7 and 3 v 6.

The same handicap, substitute and no-show rules apply. Knockout matches cannot be drawn: level after 18 holes goes to sudden death.

Key dates